The inventor of an inexpensive face covering to prevent the spread of Covid-19 told a livestream audience last week that the IP system is “cannibalistic” and discourages rapid response to Covid-19 and other challenges.
Dr. Dan Brown, inventor of the the ‘InstaShield,’ said that “providers of look-alike products, both domestic and foreign, are engaged in theft but not held accountable. It is more efficient to infringe or steal someone’s work than to spend the time and money to develop it yourself.”
“InstaShield” has sold one million units to date, and 250,000 have been donated to non-profits and charities, many for frontline workers. The patent-pending invention is made in the USA and reusable.
The full summary of “Living with the Impact of Covid-19” and Dr. Brown’s frustration with the IP system, “‘Cannabalistic’ Nature of Intellectual Property System Discourages Novel Responses to Covid-19 Management” can be read on IP Watchdog, including a link the full recording of the webinar for those who missed it.
The presentation and two panels were held by the Center for Intellectual Property Understanding (CIPU) with the Institute for Business Innovation, a part of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Speakers included:
Technology investor Gary Lauder of Lauder Partners, whose slide presentation was called “Making the Best of the Worst,” said that the United States has had the information [about dangerous viruses] “but not the trauma and scar tissue of Asian nations.”
The world’s largest architectural firm, Gensler, was represented by Randy Howder, Managing Director of the firm’s San Francisco office. Howder’s provocative slide presentation was entitled “Blueprint for the Future of Work.” It illustrates how COVID-19 is a catalyst for ushering in a new era of choice and autonomy
“Innovation policy and IP policy play a silent role in supporting new ideas and investment,” noted Danny Marti, former White House Chief of IP Enforcement and vice chairman of the Global Innovation Policy Center.
Better Literacy
Adam Mossoff, a professor of law at George Mason University, Chairman of the IP Forum at the Hudson Institute and a CIPU board member, told the audience “Better literacy about the economy reflects basics in science and technology, but it should also include an awareness of property rights like patents and trademarks and what they achieve.”
“The disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street is greater than ever,” said Dr. Daniel Gerstein, a former Deputy Director of Science and Technology, United State Homeland Security and a RAND Corporation Senior Consultant. “The economy lacks resilience because we have chosen efficiency over preparedness.”
Go here for the full summary of the “Living with Covid-19” livestream, including a link to the recording.
Image source: Center for IP Understanding
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